Pelicans, Plastic, and Purpose: A Vegan’s Encounter with Lisbon Street Art

I wasn’t looking for street art that afternoon in Lisbon — I was simply wandering, letting the city guide me. The sun was soft, the streets were humming, and then suddenly… there it was.

Two enormous pelicans rising from a wall, sculpted from scraps of metal, plastic fragments, broken bins, and forgotten urban debris. The kind of artwork that doesn’t just catch your eye — it grabs your attention and holds it. As a vegan, I’m always tuned into anything involving animals, but this mural felt different. It wasn’t just depicting animals; it was speaking for them.

I later learned that this striking piece is by Bordalo II, a Lisbon-born artist known for transforming waste into powerful environmental statements. His “Big Trash Animals” series uses discarded materials to build 3D murals of wildlife, each one a reminder of how our throwaway culture impacts the beings we share the planet with.

I found the pelicans near Rua de Santa Justa, tucked between historic buildings and the everyday rhythm of the city. They looked almost alive — expressive eyes, layered textures, wings shaped from objects we usually ignore. It felt like they were watching over the street, guardians made from the very things that threaten their real-life counterparts.

For vegans, this mural hits on multiple levels. It’s not just about admiring animals; it’s about acknowledging the systems that harm them. Pollution, overconsumption, habitat destruction — these issues are deeply connected to the choices we make. Bordalo II’s work turns that reality into something you can’t walk past without thinking.

What moved me most was how seamlessly it blended beauty with activism. The pelicans weren’t painted to be pretty; they were built to make a point. They remind us that sustainability isn’t an abstract concept — it’s a responsibility. And veganism, at its heart, is about reducing harm, living consciously, and recognising that our actions ripple outward.

Standing there, I felt a sense of alignment. My values, my lifestyle, my love for animals — all reflected back at me through this towering, colourful, chaotic sculpture of reclaimed waste. It was a moment of connection, not just with the art, but with the message behind it.

If you ever find yourself in Lisbon, seek out these pelicans. They’re more than street art. They’re a conversation starter, a wake-up call, and a reminder that even in the busiest corners of a city, there’s space for compassion, creativity, and change.